Hanson condemned the Aboriginal “industry”, which she said was responsible for “reverse racism” against white Australians:

Along with millions of Australians, I am fed up to the back teeth with the inequalities that are being promoted by the government and paid for by the taxpayer under the assumption that Aboriginals are the most disadvantaged people in Australia.

Hanson also demanded an end to multiculturalism and a “radical review” of immigration:

I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians. Between 1984 and 1995, 40 per cent of all migrants coming into this country were of Asian origin. They have their own culture and religion, form ghettos and do not assimilate.

Australians have the right to a cohesive society and deny immigration to anyone who does not abide by our law, culture, democracy, flag or Christian way of life … We don’t want or need migrants bringing their problems, laws, culture and opposing religious beliefs on us.

Yet One Nation’s policies reflect particularly 21st-century concerns. The targets of One Nation’s anti-multicultural message are now Muslims more than Asians. The party’s policy on “Islam” calls for:

an inquiry into whether Islam is a religion or an ideology

an end to Muslim immigration

a ban on the burqa or niqab in public

surveillance in all mosques and Islamic schools

a ban on mosque building and opposition to the imposition of Sharia law

As we wait for an election outcome, the question is whether either potential government will respond similarly. Labor leader Bill Shorten has blamed the Coalition’s Senate voting reforms for One Nation’s rise. It may be easier for a centre-left leader to reject any alliance with Hanson, because her supporters are from the right wing of the conservative vote.

Turnbull has said that Hanson is not a welcome presence in Australian politics. Hanson has replied that he “must have lost my number”, as she has not yet been approached in anticipation of a hung parliament. She expects the government to work with her as an elected senator.

If Turnbull can retain leadership and government, he faces the unenviable task of winning back One Nation voters while rejecting many of the principles they voted for. This may be impossible for Turnbull, particularly considering the history of conservative appeasement of right-wing voters.

Could Hanson exploit a similar negotiating position if, as seems likely, this election produces a hung parliament?

Driving the swing to the right

Hanson’s views are extreme and abhorrent to many Australians. Yet her election may indicate a strain of dissatisfaction with mainstream politics in regional communities suffering from the mining downturn.

Attacks on Hanson and those who voted for her may amplify that frustration and confirm perceptions of patronising “elites” disconnected from the concerns of “ordinary” people. Hanson’s voters – like all others – will claim their right to have a voice in Australia’s democracy.

One Nation gained nine per cent of the Queensland Senate vote. Hanson’s success has been attributed to disillusionment with mainstream politics, particularly Turnbull’s message of innovation in a new economy. Hanson has attracted voters whose lived experience does not bear out establishment wisdom on the benefits of globalisation.

In this context, mavericks like Hanson can persuade voters that immigrants and “illegal” asylum seekers present unacceptable risks to “enduring values and ways of life already severely shaken by decades of social upheaval”.

Finding opportunity in Hanson’s return

Hanson’s electoral success and the likely hung parliament may, however, present an opportunity to recast public debates of key relevance to minority communities.

The Government has been criticised for an uninspiring election campaign. There may now be a demand for a debate of ideas that engages with the diverse aspirations and fears of Australian communities.

At this stage, the major parties' rejections of Hanson ring fairly hollow when measured against their own policy settings. Both the government and opposition have invested in a top-down constitutional reform process without a clear agenda. Meanwhile, Indigenous voices are asserting an alternative treaty agenda more focused on key demands of rights, sovereignty and self-determination.

On refugees, Labor and the Coalition have engaged in a demeaning race to the bottom. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s efforts to link asylum seekers and terrorism parallel Hanson’s extremist views. Turnbull has continued to back Dutton, despite the racism inherent in his recent appeals to the hard right.

Political leaders must contribute to the formation of public opinion, rather than simply respond to whatever emerges around them. Hanson’s return to national politics should push mainstream politicians to principled stands that value humanity over intolerance.

Our leaders have a responsibility to persuade disaffected voters that fear and prejudice are greater threats to our democracy than diversity and inclusion. Whichever government emerges must choose whether to maintain the course of short-term focus, three-word slogans and poll-driven policy, or to take a more courageous and untested path towards deeper engagement with the pressing dilemmas of our age.